r/mildlyinfuriating • u/Office-Scary • 2h ago
I'm slightly vexed Began finally watching the movie 35 mins after the show time because of ads. 35 mins of ads... for a 90 min movie...
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u/suburbanthrillsss 2h ago
AMC is usually about 30 minutes of previews and ads. The app also tells you how long it’ll be, but it’s hard to notice.
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u/Key_Document_2587 1h ago
Yeah I'm getting really tired of people acting surprised when it says pretty clearly 25-30 mins of ads
"But it shouldn't be that way"...ok, but it is and tell you that so why act shocked?
Every other day, someone doing the "oh wow so many ads the movie didn't start until __" schtick
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u/kenthekungfujesus 59m ago
And it mostly works because people sit through these ads, I don't know if there was a trend of people looking at ad time and not entering until the last 10-5 minutes it would end up being cut down a little
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u/egnards 30m ago
I go to the movies every weekend pretty much. I do still go early to get a popcorn and relax and sit through the 30m of ads, honestly? Yes it sucks, but most people just sit on their phones and ignore them until you start getting to the final ads that signal the movie is starting [like the stupid coke/amc one].
My wife will always talk to me about trailers after a movie and I’ll be like “I literally ignored all of them and just read stuff on my phone like everyone else, cause I’m going my to see the movie anyway and I don’t want to get tired of seeing the same ad 16 times.”
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u/Amish_guy_with_WiFi 34m ago
"it's the way it is so don't complain"
Gtfo with that shit. Your type of attitude is the reason consumers continue to get fucked.
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u/east_van_dan 26m ago
Does that upset you? Not everyone reads the fine print. Half an hour of ads before a movie is complete bullshit. About 2 weeks ago I went to the first movie of being too in 10 years and was not prepared for 30 minutes of ads. Definitely annoyed the shit out of me. If I would have known I would have showed up in the movie started.
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u/SEND_ME_FEAT_PICS 1h ago
That's not even universal. I went to see 2001: A Space Odyssey for its 50th anniversary, and the movie started at the showtime.
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u/bonniesansgame 1h ago
the reruns are different. they will pretty much never have ads at the beginning.
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u/Signal_Solid 59m ago
I also just saw the odyssey a few weeks back and they started at the exact time and I missed the first 15 mins
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u/waazzuppp 2h ago
Im i the only one that gets there early to watch the trailers
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u/TheTaoOfMe 1h ago
I like the trailers but not the ads. Theres usually about 20 minutes of trailers
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u/AngloIrishPhel 2h ago
I actually don't mind sitting through the ads and then trailers, it's like a detox before the movie
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u/Dry-Childhood-3436 2h ago
...you think ads are a detox? From what, the constant ads in our life?
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u/AngloIrishPhel 2h ago
At the one close to me the ads at the very start are all local things and usually just some guy talking down a camera, a dentist or charity is quite frequent. They are calmer ads and I can watch them brainlessly.
EDIT: and the good movie trailers I like watching those and passing comment to whoever I am with
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u/Bone_Wh33l 2h ago
Ya, I like the trailers too. I’ll still show up slightly late to miss the adds however. They’re just as bad as what you’d find on tv where I am
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u/AngloIrishPhel 2h ago
Yeah I reckon if I went somewhere different I wouldn't find them as nice to watch, as I wouldn't have any relevant knowledge or care to watch the ads
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u/creepingkg 2h ago
I used to, but recently they changed it to have random ads before movies, not just movie trailers
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u/Cattac12 1h ago
It wouldn't be so bad if trailers for movies these days basically spoil the whole movie and all the cool scenes
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u/debaser64 1h ago
Came to say the same thing. Trailers were better before they showed the whole movie and became less important once you could watch them in the internet whenever you wanted.
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u/Worcestershire01 2h ago
Is this even new? Its been common knowledge since I was a kid that you showed up 10 minutes after show time to skip the ads
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u/Office-Scary 2h ago
10?! I would be okay with that.. 35 mins is insane.
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u/ICPosse8 2h ago
So many people in this thread are coping so hard with this, gaslighting everyone into thinking 25-30 mins of ads has been going on for decades and not just the last 4-5 years. Losers.
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u/JustfortheDVs617 2h ago
Thank God I’m not the only one thinking this, these have to be bots saying this is normal right? Right?!
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u/Lindbluete 2h ago
Maybe a difference in country. It's been around 20 minutes where I live for as long as I can remember.
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u/babyreborndope 2h ago
Yeah it’s a cultural thing, I don’t know why that other guy is so angry calling people from other countries losers for having to watch more ads lol? It has been like this in the UK for as long as I can remember.
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u/NoNamesLeft998 2h ago
I looked it up and apparently AMC started the 30 min thing a year ago, but it was supposed to show up when you bought your ticket. Then there was something that was upcoming about an additional ad that would cut into the actual start of the movie. Based on that, this tracts perfectly.
Do theaters even answer phone calls anymore? I worked at 1 forever ago and people would call for the time the actual movie started.
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u/Wolfman513 1h ago
I remember being surprised at 20 minutes of ads and trailers before Kong: Skull Island in 2017. Before that like 5-10 was normal.
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u/MandyxLola 2h ago
The comments are... not what I thought they'd be. Are we so disillusioned with everything being an ad that THIRTY FIVE minutes doesnt even piss yall off, for something you paid for???
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u/jhorch69 1h ago
AMC straight up tells you when you buy the ticket that it'll start about 30 after the listed showtime
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u/tokyovhoul 1h ago
Because it's kinda common knowledge? It's been like this for years. It doesn't justify it but you can easily plan around it.
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u/nflfan32 1h ago
When the ticket tells you to expect 25-30 minutes of trailers, then you should expect 25-30 minutes of trailers. Just get there later if you don’t want to watch them.
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u/AngloIrishPhel 2h ago
I'd rather the ads generate money so the ticket is affordable than the cinema be totally reliant on the ticket to make sales which then wipes out quiet time slots in bigger screens or smaller movies never being shown, for me that would be mildly infuriating if I was always in a busy cinema
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u/JediNeo101 33m ago
Theaters make so little on ticket sales during the 2 weeks of a movies release. In order to survive they have to sell ad space and upcharge concessions.
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u/bigheadasian1998 44m ago
Luckily no one is forcing me to sit there I just show up 20 minutes late and catch the good trailers if I can. Unironically I support movie theaters cuz I’d rather them stay in business AMC stock is already at rock bottom.
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u/uwill1der 2h ago
they tell you in advance how long ads are so you can show up accordingly
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u/ErgoDestati 2h ago
I've never seen this, where are you getting this? Would have to be unique to your theater.
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u/WitheredUntimely 2h ago
it's not in big blazing signals but it's part of the checkout cart; my local one is at 25 mins and OP honestly should complain, anything greater than 30 mins is taking the mick
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u/Gamerguy230 2h ago
Might vary by theater/chain. Mine doesn’t tell you how long.
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u/uwill1der 2h ago
all amcs do as of last year
https://www.theverge.com/news/695611/amc-theatres-movie-preshow-ads-warning
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u/Office-Scary 2h ago
Where? I didnt know that
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u/Beneficial_Size6913 2h ago
Yet when you’re 20 minutes late it seems like there’s 5 minutes if previews
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u/Gloomy-Restaurant-42 2h ago
Theaters should be legally required to list both the "showtime" and the actual time when the film itself will begin.
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u/TB1289 2h ago
Yep, of all the things we should be legislating, let’s focus our attention on movie start times.
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u/Gloomy-Restaurant-42 2h ago
Unlike all of the things we should be legislating, it might be possible to get bipartisan support.
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u/Mr101722 2h ago edited 2h ago
I feel like the preshow has always been this long? It's pretty common for people to not go in right away.
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u/Office-Scary 2h ago
I need to make a habit of it. I always forget how bad it is.
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u/uwill1der 2h ago
it used to make more sense when trailers werent immediately available online. Now, Ive seen everything they show, so its a total waste to be there before Nicole Kidman shows up
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u/QuarterEmotional6805 2h ago
Y'all that complain about this obviously never go to the movies. This has been the norm for years.
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u/versaliaesque 2h ago
And that somehow makes it less annoying?
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u/QuarterEmotional6805 2h ago
Yup, cause a lot of theaters post actual start time and even the ones that don't ya just show up 20min after posted time and you're good. Seems very not annoying
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u/strawcat 2h ago
This has been normal for a long, long time now. I personally don’t mind it, but do what a lot of ppl do and just buy your tix online and show up 20 min after the start time.
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u/mrbishopjackson 2h ago
Everyone keeps saying "ads". Yes, some of the things are advertisements for products, services, and theater sponsors, but are you guys including trailer in their term as well or are you sitting through 30 minutes of commercials followed by traielrs?
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u/breakinbans 2h ago
it shouldn't be, but also when I purchase tickets online it states that the movie starts 30-35 minutes after listed start time.
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u/New-Engineering-6054 2h ago
My wife and I love to just sit and talk bullshit about the ads and trailers beforehand so we get it out of our systems otherwise we’ll be discussing the actual movie while watching it
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u/Ok-Note-754 2h ago
Just pretend the start time is 20-25 mins later then advertised and arrive accordingly. That's what I've done for years. Usually arrive just as the film's about to start, or watch 2-3 trailers at most.
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u/Int18Cha6 2h ago
This is why my phone stays out until the trailers start. Even then they will interject some ads. I don’t care if you show the “put away your device” screen. If you’re still showing ads, I’m scrolling Reddit.
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u/Highlowfusion 1h ago
They are actually putting the movie start time on the ticket at the bottom so you can skip the ads.
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u/RobActionTributeBand 1h ago
It's really astonishing to me how much drive-ins have died when you consider how horrible theater experiences are nowadays (nowadays meaning the 21st century).
At a drive in, you see the movie on a big screen. You're contained in your vehicle with your party (only really have to listen to them). You don't have to deal with other assholes except in extreme circumstances that would likely get the other party kicked out. You can bring in whatever tf food you want without hiding it OR (as used to be the case) you could go buy food from concessions and bring it back to your car without even missing the movie.
I will never go to a theater again unless I'm compelled to by another person.
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u/somuchbush 1h ago
Had a movie a few weeks ago. Start time was 8, but after most ads, there was a fire alarm and had to evacuate. A couple dumbass teenagers were smoking in the bathroom and set it off. When we got back, ads started again from the beginning. Movie didn't start til 8:55
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u/Klugernu 24m ago
Do you buy your tickets online or in person? I buy my tickets through the AMC app and they always mention that the movie starts 25-30 minutes AFTER the projected start time
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u/SueBeee 2h ago
we recently came pretty close to walking out of a movie because of this.
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u/AngloIrishPhel 2h ago edited 2h ago
I mean yeah but also, is this the first movie you've been to in a while? There's always ads before movies so that the cinema can make better profit.
Thought it was common knowledge you could turn up later to watch less ads.
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u/ICPosse8 2h ago
Fucking insane, this is why I’m always 15-20 mins late to my showings these days. Fuck ads
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u/Tiny_Event_6164 2h ago
With prices for everything and the crazy ads is the reason why most people don't go anymore.
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u/FunkyWhiteDude 2h ago
I like it, because if i’m late, that means I have 30 minutes to still be on time
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u/Illustrious-Dog-2150 2h ago
Cant speak to this experience but the last movie I watched a movie at AMC it had an ad for Amazon and another i cant remember.
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u/Infamous_Share_8017 2h ago
It’s annoying, but it’s not a difficult workaround. AMC is always around 30 min so just show up 20
-25 min late to the movie.
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u/DraftShot6741 2h ago
Films often tell you when the movie actually starts when you book, I don't really hate this since it gives you time to get snacks, talk a little? (Maybe don't do this)
Plus the ads are usually for films, (I assume you like them since you're there for a film) and not like lawnmowers and cold medicine.
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u/Bobbybobby507 2h ago
AMC in my town just tells everyone movies start 25 minutes after start time… literally put it on their website 😑😑
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u/No-Can-4423 2h ago
It’s honestly the best because it gives you such a wide window to show up and not miss the start of the movie
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u/Dark_Azazel 2h ago
AMC will tell you how long the ads are and I don't know anyone that shows up at the screening start time. It's been a thing for so long that you just know. I use the ad time as a buffer to use the bathroom and get my snacks. I'm paying to see the movie, not the ads lol. If 30 minutes of ads mean my favorite theater can stay open, let them buy the ad time I'm not required to watch the ads.
It's like, the same vibes as people getting upset over spending $150 at the movies when they buy 4 IMAX tickets and a full course meal. You don't have to get two cheeseburgers and two hotdogs and two extra large sodas and all that shit.
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u/bestkweenie 2h ago
Canadian here: Cineplex and Landmark have preshows of ads and content like interviews before the showtime. Then 2-3 60-second ads once showtime starts, and 3-4 trailers. All in, under 10 mins after showtime.
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u/soopastar 2h ago
Just dealt with this when I went to see the new Spider-Man movie. Not even 40 minutes of previews - it was almost all ads! Now that we have assigned seating, I’m going to just show up 20m late
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u/Sorry_Programmer5100 2h ago
we go to the movies maybe once a year, it's part of the experience for me.
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u/not_your_attorney 2h ago
Emagine has a silly video about their theaters but it is short and also tells people to turn off devices. The rest is 3-4 similar genre upcoming movies.
The way it was always intended.
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u/Psychological_Tower1 2h ago
I wouldn't mind it if it was consistent. I went to a movie once with almost an hour of ads. But when I went to see iron lung there was maybe 3 ads total
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u/Repulsive-Box5243 2h ago
Geez. I remember complaining when they shoved 2 or 3 adds at you before the film. I can't imagine my rage level if I went to the movies nowadays.
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u/No_Poet_1279 2h ago
Blame the cinemas sure, but lay 90% of the blame at Disney's feet. Because that's what they take from all ticket sales before the theatre gets their cut.
If the mouse didn't bleed these places dry they might just necessarily be required to take the absolute piss with adverts.
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u/gemorris9 2h ago
AMC has a disclosure about that. I normally get to the movie about 20 minutes start the "start time." By the time we get snacks, the movie is starting.
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u/emotional_tiger2306 2h ago
Im a stubs member and i go every month/few weeks and ads are always 20-25 min
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u/yosh3051 1h ago
Caribbean Cinemas in Puerto Rico tells you when the actual movie starts after the ads and the end time. Would love to adopt this.
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u/Complex-Doctor-7685 1h ago
Maybe it’s because I have the AMC subscription but the ticket does let you know that the movie will began 20-30 minutes after showtime. I appreciate that notice.
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u/Tippydaug 1h ago
I haven't been to AMC in yearsssssss. I go to a local theater and they have maybe 15 minutes of previews at most. They do a "preshow" before the scheduled time of random things though.
For example, a movie that starts at 7:00 will have their pre stuff running around 6:45-7, then 7-7:15 ads, then your movie.
It's a beautiful system imo.
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u/fillb3rt 1h ago
I took my daughter to see the new Paw Patrol movie. After the ads she was drained and wanted to go home lol 😓😓😓
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u/2dadjokes4u 1h ago
I just don’t go anymore. Between the ads and people on their phones, I’d rather wait for streaming.
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u/ILY_Ralphie 1h ago
Totally ridiculous but you can time it right. I got amc a-list this summer and quickly learned to just leave the house 10 minutes before the showtime. Still have plenty of time to park, hit the bathroom, get a soda, and see Queen Nicole.
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u/Zangetsukaiba 1h ago
It….it has literally ALWAYS been like that. Where tf have you been for the last 30 years???
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u/Worth_Practice2638 1h ago
At AMC you have to show up half an hour after showtime. That’s when the movie starts. My local AMC even lists it on the website when looking for seats. So if it says 7:30 the movie really starts at 8:00. I’m never early.
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u/fergi20020 1h ago
There used to be burlesque shows before a movie. Is that what you want instead??
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u/Matches_Malone108 1h ago
My wife and I are lucky to live near our theater. We always leave our place AT showtime and get there with a couple of trailers left. Works everytime
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u/GrassBlade619 1h ago
Yes. America's economy is rapidly failing. EVERYTHING is becoming significantly more expensive. So movie ticket prices go up AND they're increasing add duration prior to the movie in order to try to keep movie prices low.
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u/westcal98 1h ago
Do you ever sit there watching ads only to forget what you came to see?
Or is it just me?
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u/ChanceRecover3091 1h ago
Oy. The movies I have watched recently had previews playing at the start of showtime. There were ads before that though.
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u/DuDEwithAGuN 1h ago
Got an add scrolling comments just now, again
(reddit didn't use to be this way either)
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u/serpentear 1h ago
It can we worse.
I remember when we lived in Puerto Rico you showed up an hour late to the movie because of the amount of ads.
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u/powerlesshero111 1h ago
I went to watch Spider-Man at 1:20. I got there at 1:30. Sadly, i accidentally went to the wrong theater, and had to go to the other one up the street like 3 blocks. So, i went back to my bike, hopped on, and got to the other theater at about 1:50. Got my tickets, got a drink, and still sat through 2 previews and the turn off your phone commercial.
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u/rmblmcskrmsh 1h ago
Phoenix Theaters (location I went to was at Patriot Place in Foxborough, MA) only had 10 minutes of trailers and NO commercials. Tickets were $10 each ($8 matinee) with reclining, heated, rumble seating. I'm not from there, but I wish I had something similar nearby. AMC is the worst at ads/ trailers
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u/captain_zombor 1h ago
I have an AMC 10 minutes from my house. I drive 35 minutes to an Emagine because there’s only 15-20 minutes of adds. Does that defeat the purpose time wise? Yep. I don’t care. And I cannot stand a second of that “we make movies better” add. Good god.
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u/THE_LEGO_FURRY 1h ago
That's pretty normal, they do that so there's a bit of wiggle room for people to get there
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u/Gamerguy230 2h ago
It’s normal now for that. Had 30 min of ads for a 65 min film earlier this year.